French delegation
The New Zealand flag is a common sight in Le Quesnoy in late April.
Cambridge’s Sister City relationship with Le Quesnoy has led to a group of French dignitaries and rugby players planning to visit the town ahead of the All Blacks vs France game in Hamilton next week. The group will pay their respects at the cenotaph and visit sites of significance to the sister city relationship.
Pre election reports
Hamilton city, Ōtorohanga and Waikato district chief executives have published their three-yearly pre-election reports under the Local Government Act. The reports offer potential candidates a look at the key issues, priorities and the councils’ future direction. Waipā and Waitomo are expected to publish their reports soon.
Calling for candidates
Local Choice
Nominations for the October local body elections have opened. No special qualifications are needed to run and anyone who is a New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over and enrolled on the electoral roll, is eligible to stand for district and regional councils. Nominations close at 12 noon on Friday, August 1. Local elections will be held by postal vote, with voting papers sent out from Tuesday, September 9. Election Day is Saturday, October 11.
Good Local expands
The publisher of the Waikato Business News and three weekly community papers – Cambridge, Te Awamutu and King Country News – has added a fifth masthead to the family. Good Local Media owner David Mackenzie has completed the purchase of the Bay of Plenty Business News. He made the announcement soon after Stuff revealed the Cambridge Edition community newspaper would be one of several mastheads to close.
Toilets open
Hally’s Lane toilets
The new Hally’s Lane toilet block has opened replacing the 30 year old building previously on the site. The new toilets have three unisex cubicles and one fully accessible unit with a changing table.
Bridge work
Victoria (High Level) Bridge damage. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge’s iconic Victoria Bridge is almost back to looking its best, with the final repairs to crash damage underway this week. To complete the work, contractors needed to work underneath the bridge for up to three days to replace one broken footpath support. The damage occurred in November, when a car and a van collided on the Cambridge town side of the bridge.
Licence hearings
A Waipā District Licensing committee hearing will be held next week to consider the renewal of licenses for India Today Ltd in Cambridge – trading as Koi Spice, Craft and Whisky Lounge. Meanwhile no decision has yet been released for Five Stags in Leamington which is facing an uncertain future due to multiple reports of intoxication and disorderly behaviour over the past three years.
Plan adopted
Waikato District Council officially adopted its 2025–2034 Long Term Plan last week setting a clear direction for the next nine years. The plan outlines how council will continue to invest in essential services and infrastructure to support its growing communities while keeping rates as affordable as possible.
Piarere speeds up
The speed limit at the new roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 29 has been lifted to 100km/h. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says the bulk of the work on the project, after 17 months of work, is done.
